Abstract: An apparatus for applying individual tapes in layers onto a substrate includes a plurality of reels, applicators, and a guide member. A first reel holds a first tape and a second reel holds a second tape. A first applicator includes a first pressure surface that receives the first tape from the first reel and presses the first tape in a direction toward the substrate to apply the first tape to the substrate. The second applicator includes a second pressure surface that receives the second tape from the second reel. The second pressure surface is aligned to dispense the second tape over a section of the first tape applied to the substrate and to press the second tape toward the substrate to apply the second tape over the first tape. The guide member is disposed between the reels and the applicators and aligns the first and second tapes during application.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector detachably coupled to the robotic arm, and a control system. The robotic end-effector includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm, and the control system configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: Secured access to a vehicle is provided. A power input is configured to receive power from a source external to the vehicle. A voltage monitor is configured to measure voltage and/or state of health of a vehicle battery. An access component is configured to provide secured access to the vehicle. A processor is configured to, responsive to the voltage monitor indicating the vehicle battery is unable to power the access component, power the access component via the power input to allow the secured access to the vehicle despite the vehicle battery being depleted.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device for selectively and electrically coupling a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit of the plurality of electrical circuits at a first node, and a second remote cooperative testing device for selectively and electrically coupling the first and second electrical circuits at a second node. A testing circuit is formed between the first node and the second node by the first and second remote cooperative testing devices.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device including a testing component and a first transceiver and a second remote cooperative testing device including a conductive component and a second transceiver. In response to receiving instructions from a remote computing device, the first remote cooperative testing device locates a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit and selectively positions the testing component to electrically couple a first portion of the first electrical circuit to a first portion of the second electrical circuit at a first node, and the second remote cooperative testing device selectively positions the conductive component to electrically couple a second portion of the first electrical circuit to a second portion of the second electrical circuit at a second node, thereby forming a testing circuit between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly with recesses for electrical lines and electrical modules, and a corresponding method. An example assembly includes a floor with a surface, a channel at a first depth relative to the surface, and a pocket at a second depth relative to the surface. The second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for pre-fluxing motors of vehicle door e-latches. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle that includes a switch. The handle also includes an e-latch that includes a latch and a motor for the latch. Responsive to detecting grasping of the handle via the switch, the e-latch is to pre-flux the motor and transmit an authentication request. The example vehicle also includes a body control module to cause the motor to unlock the door via the latch responsive to authenticating a fob upon receiving the authentication request.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a robotic system that includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector, a lock, and a control system. The robotic end-effector is detachably coupled to the robotic arm and includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm. The lock is disposed with the robotic arm and robotic end-effector, and is operable to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector. The control system is configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector, and to operate the lock to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying individual tapes in layers onto a substrate includes a plurality of reels, applicators, and a guide member. A first reel holds a first tape and a second reel holds a second tape. A first applicator includes a first pressure surface that receives the first tape from the first reel and presses the first tape in a direction toward the substrate to apply the first tape to the substrate. The second applicator includes a second pressure surface that receives the second tape from the second reel. The second pressure surface is aligned to dispense the second tape over a section of the first tape applied to the substrate and to press the second tape toward the substrate to apply the second tape over the first tape. The guide member is disposed between the reels and the applicators and aligns the first and second tapes during application.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector detachably coupled to the robotic arm, and a control system. The robotic end-effector includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm, and the control system configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: An electrical assembly that includes a substrate having an aperture. A flat conductor is mounted to the substrate and extends over at least a portion of the aperture, with a ring terminal in contact with the flat conductor adjacent to the aperture. A lead wire connects to the ring terminal and is spaced from the substrate, and a fastener extends through the ring terminal and flat conductor, secured in the aperture, and securing the ring terminal against the flat conductor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly with recesses for electrical lines and electrical modules, and a corresponding method. An example assembly includes a floor with a surface, a channel at a first depth relative to the surface, and a pocket at a second depth relative to the surface. The second depth is greater than the first depth.

Abstract: An electrical assembly that includes a substrate having an aperture. A flat conductor is mounted to the substrate and extends over at least a portion of the aperture, with a ring terminal in contact with the flat conductor adjacent to the aperture. A lead wire connects to the ring terminal and is spaced from the substrate, and a fastener extends through the ring terminal and flat conductor, secured in the aperture, and securing the ring terminal against the flat conductor.

Abstract: Indicating a fuel level in a fuel tank of a vehicle during a refueling event may include illuminating exterior vehicle lighting to indicate the fuel level in the fuel tank, adding fuel to the fuel tank, and as the fuel is added to the fuel tank, changing the illumination of the exterior vehicle lighting to indicate the current fuel level in the fuel tank.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for determining and displaying the current fuel level to a vehicle operation while the vehicle ignition is turned off. An example vehicle includes a fuel tank including a fuel sensor, one or more external vehicle displays, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a current fuel level of the fuel tank, determine a cost to fill the fuel tank, and display the current fuel level and the cost to fill the fuel tank on the one or more external vehicle displays, while a vehicle ignition is turned off.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a robotic system that includes a robotic arm, a robotic end-effector, a lock, and a control system. The robotic end-effector is detachably coupled to the robotic arm and includes a locomotion device to move the robotic end-effector independent of the robotic arm. The lock is disposed with the robotic arm and robotic end-effector, and is operable to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector. The control system is configured to control the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector, and to operate the lock to detach and attach the robotic arm and the robotic end-effector.

Abstract: A system for testing a plurality of electrical circuits includes a first remote cooperative testing device including a testing component and a first transceiver and a second remote cooperative testing device including a conductive component and a second transceiver. In response to receiving instructions from a remote computing device, the first remote cooperative testing device locates a first electrical circuit and a second electrical circuit and selectively positions the testing component to electrically couple a first portion of the first electrical circuit to a first portion of the second electrical circuit at a first node, and the second remote cooperative testing device selectively positions the conductive component to electrically couple a second portion of the first electrical circuit to a second portion of the second electrical circuit at a second node, thereby forming a testing circuit between the first node and the second node.

Abstract: A power distribution system for a vehicle includes a switching circuit configured to selectively enable power flow between a first bus and a second bus operable within a common voltage range. The power distribution system further includes a controller programmed to, in response to power flow being inactive and a current flowing through the first bus exceeding a current threshold, operate the switching circuit to enable power flow from the second bus to the first bus.

Abstract: An example battery assembly includes, among other things, at least one thermal exchange device. Each thermal exchange device has a plurality of liquid coolant channels, a first side that supports at least one battery array, and a second side. A plurality of fins extend from the second side. A skid plate is adjacent the plurality of fins to establish a plurality of air coolant channels between the second side and the skid plate. An example thermal management method includes moving air through a plurality of air coolant channels established between a skid plate and at least one thermal exchange device. The thermal exchange device supports at least one battery array. The thermal exchange device includes a plurality of liquid coolant channels that communicate a liquid coolant to exchange thermal energy with the at least one battery array.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for pre-fluxing motors of vehicle door e-latches. An example vehicle includes a door including a handle that includes a switch. The handle also includes an e-latch that includes a latch and a motor for the latch. Responsive to detecting grasping of the handle via the switch, the e-latch is to pre-flux the motor and transmit an authentication request. The example vehicle also includes a body control module to cause the motor to unlock the door via the latch responsive to authenticating a fob upon receiving the authentication request.